Tag: legal blindness

Top 10 Stories of People Thriving with Legal Blindness

This year, we were delighted to share, on social media, a range of stories featuring artists, chefs, photographers and more, all living full and successful lives with visual impairments. Across age and industry, one quality ties these wonderful and inspiring narratives together — dedicated persistence in the face of challenges.

Here are the 10 stories that were your favorites in 2018.

Photographers and Filmmakers

Digital camera against the window sill, with yellow strap.

Bruce Hall, Photographer

Bruce Hall is a legally blind photographer, teacher, and disability advocate. In his own words, Bruce “photographs in order to see”. His work has been published in textbooks and magazines, as well as featured internationally in art exhibits, such as the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian; the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.; and more.

Watch Bruce Hall in Apple’s “Behind the Mac” video.

Tammy Ruggles, Photographer

Tammy Ruggles is a legally blind photographer living with retinitis pigmentosa. Tammy does not let her condition deter her from pursuing work. Instead, she uses her camera as a second pair of eyes to see the world in new and beautifully creative ways. An admirer of Ansel Adams, Tammy’s photographic style leans towards high-contrast, classic black-and-white shots.

Read Tammy Ruggles’ piece on her photography and philosophy.

James Rath, Filmmaker

James Rath is a legally blind YouTuber, filmmaker, activist, and public speaker, living with ocular albinism and nystagmus. He advocates for equal opportunities for all through his favorite medium of video. His work includes a spot for Apple, “How Apple Saved My Life”, highlighting the brand’s accessibility features; as well as a major digital campaign for Tommy Hilfiger’s accessible clothing line.

Read more about James Rath.

Visual Artists and Writers

Closeup of green leaves being painted, with pencils next to the painting.

Robert Andrew Parker, Artist

Robert Andrew Parker is an 87-year-old artist living with macular degeneration, known for his paintings, as well as prints of figures, landscapes, and animals. He has illustrated more than 100 books, and has been recognized with notable awards, including a Guggenheim, a Caldecott Honor and an American Association Notable Book award.

Watch the short film on Robert Andrew Parker.

Keith Salmon, Artist

Keith Salmon is a legally blind British landscape artist, living with diabetic retinopathy. In his abstract paintings, he conveys the wild, free spirit of adopted home Scotland. An avid mountain climber and hill walker, Keith uses his expeditions to gather inspiration and material for his artwork.

Read the interview with Keith Salmon.

Erica Tandori, Artist

Erica Tandori is a legally blind artist, academic and public speaker, living with macular dystrophy. Throughout her artistic and academic career, Erica has been dedicated to exploring the lived experience of vision loss, and what it means to “see”. Her painted landscapes are highly realistic, with a haunting, misty quality.

Read the interview with Erica Tandori.

Paola Peretti, Novelist

Novelist and Italian language teacher Paola Peretti was diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy at the age of 17. The act of writing brought her clarity. Her debut children’s novel, titled The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree, features a young heroine with Stargardt disease. The book echoes Paola’s mantra of hope: “Never, ever give up”.

Read more about Paola Peretti.

Chefs and Bakers

Cupcake with icing, next to sprigs of dried lavender, on a wooden table.

Penny Melville-Brown, Baker

Penny Melville-Brown is a baker, who is also legally blind. She traveled to six continents over a year, meeting, cooking, and bonding with chefs, community leaders and other blind and visually impaired people along the way. She stopped by places like Costa Rica, Malawi, Australia, China and the United States, with her nephew documenting the entire world tour in a video blog series.

Read more about Penny Melville-Brown.

Benjamin Hsu, Chef

Benjamin Hsu, a sushi chef living with ocular albinism, has keen senses. When he works, it’s his passion, deftness and love for food that is most visible and apparent. Benjamin doesn’t let his visual impairment faze him. “My vision, it just makes things a little bit harder, but it doesn’t matter because I don’t let it matter,” he says.

Read more about Benjamin Hsu.

December 13, 2018
You’re Never Too Old To Learn
Having chaired a support group for more than 20 years in Florida, the land of seniors and thus the land of visual impairment, I see an interesting story.

From my own observation at my meetings, where I often invite presenters, such as Magnifying America, Enhanced Vision, Optelec, Freedom Scientific, Magnifeye, OrCam, eSight, I see surprisingly little buying.

There is interest, of course, as some of these new devices now are portable and can read to you, along with other delightful add-ons and gadgets to allow us to function as independently as possible.

I know that I couldn’t function without one such device and I have four: one in my office, one in my bedroom and another on my patio, plus a “mini” that I carry with me. These must-have devices of mine are video magnifiers, also known as CCTVs.

I’m legally blind: 20/400 in my left eye and 20/300 in my right. I have lectured on the advantages of adaptive devices, iPhones, as well as others that have been developed over the years, and I would love to know what keeps some people holding back.

I had a member recently call me asking where he could get a large-number flip phone. I said, “Get a smartphone. You don’t have to look for numbers, you just have to program the phone and then ask them to call that person.” Then I added, “Even if that person is not on your contact list, you tell the phone the number you need.”

I don’t think a day goes by that I’m not on my computer. I wake up to search my email and close down at night, seeing what else came in. I do research, catch up on the news of the day and visit my friends and family as well as the stock market.

The doctor tells us our hearing is bad and we run to buy a hearing aid for an average price of $3,000. We run to the eye doctor, retina specialist, or low vision optometrist, and fit new glasses, yet don’t run to buy a CCTV. We ask others to read our mail, may not be able to read a newspaper or magazine or book, yet hesitate to get an electronic magnifier to open up the world.

One thing I picked up on while lecturing on “Low Vision Rehabilitation” really opened my eyes. A lady in the front row said, “Why should I bother? I’m 95 years old.” I came back with, “What are you waiting for?”

No one knows for sure how much time we have left. Why not make the time we do have left as good as we can make it? If we can better our lives on this Earth, let’s go for it!

Get started with OE resources:
August 21, 2018
App Happy

Apps are empowering people with visual impairments in ways we could only once dream. There are apps that can read text on the go, identify people and products, turn cameras into magnifiers, summon live help, and light the way.

Here are some apps you should know about. All are available for iPhone on the App Store and may be available for Android or Windows as well. Apps are free unless specified.

Seeing AI

Seeing AI app.

Reads Short Text, Documents, Products, People & Scenes

A magnanimous gesture from Microsoft exclusively to iPhone users. This is actually five apps in one, and it’s free!

The Short Text channel is the grand prize, point the camera and it reads signs, price tags, labels, addresses, and more. No snapping photos or waiting to process, just point and it reads instantly on the go. This app reads documents and product barcodes with VoiceOver. It can identify people using facial recognition which does not seem all that practical, but it is fun. And try the Scene channel to get a description of the environment you are in. To learn more about Seeing AI, read our full article.

So far, everyone agrees, this is an amazing app. Enjoy it, and remember, it’s a work in progress, just like the rest of us. Help Microsoft keep making it better by sending your feedback to [email protected].

Click here to download the iPhone app.

KNFB Reader $99

KNFB Reader app.

High-Quality text to speech OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

This app seemed totally worth the price, until a moment ago when Seeing AI became available, with its free document reader. There are some noteworthy differences. KNFB does not require a connection to the Internet to process; Seeing AI does. KNFB has its own reader; Seeing AI depends on VoiceOver.

You will find that KNFB Reader is faster, as recognition is performed on your device rather than uploading it to the cloud. Keeping the processing on your device provides better security. KNFB can be set to read text in columns and tables; Seeing AI cannot. KNFB batch mode copies and saves multi-page documents; Seeing AI does not.

In recent updates, you can make calls, send emails, and open links directly from documents. You can even contact someone from a business card. To learn more about KNFB Reader, read our full article.

For questions or to send feedback, contact: [email protected].

Click to download the iPhone app or to download the Android App.

Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes app.

Access Live Help

This app boasts an impressive 1 million sighted volunteers on call to assist its 80 thousand visually impaired and blind users in more than 180 countries. Tapping on the main page to “Call First Available Volunteer” will establish a live video connection enabling the volunteer to read or describe what your camera is pointed at.

If you need help with an appliance, an electronic device, distinguishing items, or reading instructions, these volunteers are ready and able. No need to worry about being a pest, call as often as you need. The wait for a volunteer is estimated at 30 seconds, and that’s pretty hard to beat!

Click to download the iPhone app or to download the Android App.

Brighter and Bigger

Brighter and Bigger app.

Video Magnifier

Just as the name says, this video magnifying app gets up to 20x bigger, with options for brightness, reverse, clearer and freeze. This makes the app perfect for reading fine print and bringing objects into sharper view. The “Brightness Reverse” and “Monochrome” modes are especially ideal for people living with cataracts and low vision.

Thanks to the vast improvements in mobile cameras, these magnifying apps are as good as the portable versions we once had to pay big bucks for. Opens with Siri command.

Click to download the iPhone app or to download the Android App.

iLights

iLights app.

Digital Flashlight

Adjustable light and blinking strobe can be conveniently turned on by asking Siri. Now you know where the flashlight is when you need it.

Click here to download the iPhone app.

BARD Mobile

BARD Mobile app.

National Library Service Talking Books (888.657.7323)

If you are registered for the National Library Services Talking Books program, consider going mobile. It takes a bit of time to set it up and requires patience as you learn to navigate this, sometimes cumbersome, app, but book lovers with visual impairments absolutely love the totally free access to audiobooks. To learn more about NLS, read our full article.

Click to download the iPhone app or to download the Android App.

Voice Memos

Voice Memos app.

Digital Recorder

Always good to have a digital recorder on hand. We used to spend hundreds to have one in our pocket, now it’s sitting right in our phone for free. High-quality recording, 3 button interface. Trim, save, and share options.

App comes with your iPhone.

Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.

Originally published on November 17, 2017 and updated on August 3, 2018.

August 3, 2018
Artists Work Through Macular Degeneration

You might think the work of an artist who is losing sight would come to a tragic end. Think again.

“The Persistence of Vision”, an exhibition at the University of Cincinnati, is meant to change that perception. The collection highlights the works of 8 artists, before and during the progression of their vision loss from age-related macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness among people over age 65. It depletes the central vision and impairs the ability to differentiate color and detail. The peripheral vision usually remains and can be used in some ways to compensate for the loss in central.

The process of adapting included strategizing, experimenting and improvising. Many took on a less intricate, more abstract style and all showed changes in their use of color. One artist discovered a great sense of freedom in a new less precise, more relaxed technique. Some went from drawing to painting, others ventured from painting to drawing. In most cases, the lines became blurred but still beautiful. In their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, they all continued creating exquisite work.

Beyond the obvious commonalities, the 8 artists possess a strong desire and willingness to find new ways of compensating their partial loss of sight. The subject matter is specific, but the overriding theme is universal and can be applied to all work. This is actually about the art of adjusting.

“The Persistence of Vision” is at The Philip M. Meyers, Jr. Memorial Gallery at the University of Cincinnati, through July 29, 2018. It is part of the Vision and Art Project funded by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

For more on The Vision and Art Project exhibition, Click Here

For more on this in the NY Times, “Artists Who Lose Their Vision, Then See Clearly,” Click Here

Image Credit: Dahlov Ipcar “Sunlight in Forest Glade” (unfinished, 2015) at The DAAP Galleries: Philip M. Meyers Jr. Memorial Gallery.

July 12, 2018
Doctor, Am I Going Blind?

To the question, “Am I going blind?,” the answer is most often, “No.”

For the great majority of patients diagnosed with disease-causing progressive vision loss, use of the word “blindness” actually does not apply. Fortunately, most patients treated for degenerative diseases retain some degree of visual function.

While the amount varies (dependent on disease type, severity, persistence, and progression), it is far more accurate to describe most cases as visual impairments and not as blindness.

Obviously, total loss of light perception is the ultimate fear. Ophthalmologists must be extremely careful in their discussions with patients to address this fear. While some diseases are severe, most can be limited.

Macular Degeneration

A frightening diagnosis always, and is the most common ocular disease in older age. Some forms are genetically inherited and present in adolescents, teens, and much younger adults. Although often described as the “leading cause of blindness in people over 65,” it is highly unlikely and extremely rare that it results in loss of light perception or blindness. Macular degeneration generally affects the central vision, leaving peripheral intact.

Progression of the disease is slow in most cases and can be well compensated. Patients are able to continue their full and productive lives, making some adjustments and utilizing magnification and speech in widely available accessible technologies. A strong mental approach coupled with a willingness to learn, are proven factors in maximizing remaining vision and enjoying life.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes-related eye disease is another common malady often associated with the reduction in normal sight. While historically unrelenting, attention to medical and ocular problems early in the course of diabetes have completely altered the potential for devastating visual loss. With current and updated treatments, visual loss can be prevented or at least limited. Often, patient cooperation and participation in treatment is the key to success for diabetics.

Glaucoma

Primarily a disease of superficial retinal loss associated with elevated pressure within the globe of the eye. The earliest patterns of visual loss from glaucoma are peripheral, not central, so a reduction of visual field can go relatively undetected by the patient. As the disease progresses, more of the peripheral field is lost, followed finally by the loss of the central areas.

Fortunately, with treatment and early recognition by a qualified professional, visual loss can be prevented or limited.

Legal Blindness

Many have heard the term “legal blindness” and automatically interpret it to mean “blindness.” Legal blindness is a government definition or statute utilized to determine qualification for disability benefits. The definition requires 20/200 vision or worse in the best eye with correction in place or visual field limitation to 20 degrees in diameter. The condition causing the vision loss must be present or expected to be present, for one year or more.

Legal blindness does not mean “no vision” and many people with this degree of vision loss live very full visual lives, albeit with a significant visual impairment. On the other hand, “blindness” is usually understood to mean “no visual perception”.

Clarification of the language associated with vision loss is critical, especially for those on the receiving end of these difficult words. Speak with your ophthalmologist. Make sure you understand your visual status and to what degree it is likely to change over time. Most of the time vision can be preserved and loss can be limited.

July 3, 2018
FDA Approves Gene Therapy for Rare Mutation

The first gene therapy for a rare inherited retinal disease has been approved. The treatment is specific to the RPE65 gene mutation which causes progressive vision loss in children and adults, resulting in legal blindness, and sometimes even total blindness.

The therapy, brand name Luxturna, is approved for a small group, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 patients in the US. It consists of the injection into each eye with a normal correcting RPE65 gene. The cost of this treatment expected to be in the high six figures.

The hope is, this progress potentially opens a door to treatments for many more gene mutations causing inherited retinal diseases and progressive vision loss.

Here is the United States Food & Drug Administration’s bulletin:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), a new gene therapy, to treat children and adult patients with an inherited form of vision loss that may result in blindness. Luxturna is the first directly administered gene therapy approved in the U.S. that targets a disease caused by mutations in a specific gene.

“Today’s approval marks another first in the field of gene therapy — both in how the therapy works and in expanding the use of gene therapy beyond the treatment of cancer to the treatment of vision loss — and this milestone reinforces the potential of this breakthrough approach in treating a wide-range of challenging diseases. The culmination of decades of research has resulted in three gene therapy approvals this year for patients with serious and rare diseases. I believe gene therapy will become a mainstay in treating, and maybe curing, many of our most devastating and intractable illnesses,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “We’re at a turning point when it comes to this novel form of therapy and at the FDA, we’re focused on establishing the right policy framework to capitalize on this scientific opening. Next year, we’ll begin issuing a suite of disease-specific guidance documents on the development of specific gene therapy products to lay out modern and more efficient parameters — including new clinical measures — for the evaluation and review of gene therapy for different high-priority diseases where the platform is being targeted.”

To read more please continue to the FDA’s bulletin here

December 21, 2017
Consider The Long White Cane

A close up of a long white cane on a street with yellow lines.

Vision loss can elevate feelings of insecurity, on many levels. Actively making adjustments helps maintain or regain the confidence to continue doing the things you need, and want, to do. That includes getting around safely.

Taking a fall is unpleasant at any age. Getting back up, in one piece, is not always easy. What you don’t see can definitely hurt you. The long white cane is a very useful tool in preventing falls.

The white cane is still believed by many to indicate total blindness. But everyone should be aware, this is a tool that significantly improves mobility for people with low vision. And it is increasingly being utilized by older adults with all kinds of visual impairments.

Although it can restore confidence and independence, the white cane remains a difficult step for many to take. The reluctance commonly felt about using the cane, is almost always replaced by the sheer empowerment it offers.

Use of a cane will greatly reduce the risk of injury. It provides feedback about the path ahead, changes in elevation, and alerts to obstacles. It will help you orient to conditions of darkness or bright glare. The cane will also inform others of your visual impairment.

A professional Orientation & Mobility Specialist should always be consulted for proper training in the use of a long white cane. Contact your local vision rehabilitation center or ask your physician for a referral.

Long white canes are lightweight and easily retractable. They fold up to a small bundle that fits into a tote or backpack. And they open up again with the flick of a wrist.

Don’t allow fear to curtail your freedom. The upside of cane use will far outweigh the downside.

November 7, 2017
Innovation Drives Inclusion

It’s always good to step outside ourselves and understand what others are experiencing. While we focus on overcoming the adversity of vision loss, our colleagues, friends, and neighbors are busy meeting their own challenges.

Recently, Microsoft CEO, Satay Nadella, shared the very personal experience that inspires his commitment to making accessibility and inclusive design a priority. He notes that this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s theme was dubbed, “Inclusion Drives Innovation,” a concept Microsoft totally supports.

The flip side is equally true…innovation drives inclusion. Either way, we’ll take more of it, please! The scope of work and it’s sense of inclusion is conveyed in the Microsoft Accessibility Blog’s subtext, “Making technology easier to see, hear, and use!”

Here is an excerpt from Satay’s blog post:

“Becoming a father of a son with special needs was the turning point in my life that has shaped who I am today. It has helped me better understand the journey of people with disabilities. It has shaped my personal passion for and philosophy of connecting new ideas to empathy for others. And it is why I am deeply committed to pushing the bounds on what love and compassion combined with human ingenuity and passion to have impact can accomplish with my colleagues at Microsoft.

“It is fitting that the theme of this year’s U.S. National Disability Employment Awareness Month — recognized every October — is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.” We could not agree more. At Microsoft, we are making accessibility a top priority in our product development efforts, from core features in Windows 10 like Narrator to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through innovations like Hearing AI created by Azure engineer Swetha Machanavajhala. In addition, we know that having an employee base that is representative of all backgrounds and abilities is one of our greatest strengths. This is why we continue to be passionate about hiring people with disabilities through initiatives like the Autism Hiring Program and Supported Employment Program, which help us advance our mission to empower every person on the planet — including more than 1 billion people who have disabilities. I am an optimist who firmly believes that at its most powerful, technology can contribute to incredible human capability and insight. I also believe it can help people find immense joy and a deeper connection to the world around them by enabling them to realize their professional and personal potentials. Some of my favorite examples of technology in action are where people have come together from across Microsoft, united by a shared passion to hack and build solutions that have the potential to benefit millions.

“Recently, one of my colleagues, Angela Mills, shared her personal story with me. Angela is visually impaired — having lost her central vision when she was a child, today she has only her peripheral vision. Over the years, she has used various technologies to assist her daily activities, but she calls the early release of the new Seeing AI app “life-changing.” Before, when she went into a cafeteria for lunch, she would have to find a cafeteria worker and ask for help in picking out a salad. Now, she can go to the salad area and use the app on her phone to read the labels of the salads before choosing one by herself. She can walk confidently into a conference room, knowing for sure she’s in the right place with the right people; and when she’s cooking at home, she doesn’t have to rely on her husband to read out the labels on the spice jars. It’s incredible to see how this idea that was sparked and developed at our annual hackathon by Saqib Shaikh, Anirudh Koul, and team, is now a free application that enables Angela and many others to feel more included and connected to the world around them, and we can’t wait to bring it to more folks around the world in weeks and months to come.” S

To read the full article on Microsoft’s inclusive design projects for people with Autism, ALS, Learning Issues and Visual Impairments, and to access audio described videos on these subjects…Click Here.

October 26, 2017
11/09 Top Apps Made For Accessibility

Join Us Nov. 9, 2017 At MEETH

Apps are empowering people with visual impairments in ways we could once only dream of. They read text on the go, identify people, products, places, turn cameras into magnifiers, summon live help, and light the way.

Accessibility Resources for People with Visual Impairments

Presenter:

Dorrie Rush

OphthalmicEdge.org Patients

WHEN:

Thursday, November 9, 2017

2:30 to 3:30 pm

WHERE:

Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Corwin Hall

2nd Floor

210 East 64 Street

(between Third and Second Ave.)

New York, NY 10065

Please RSVP as seating is limited:

Phone: (212) 702-7760

Online: meethaccessibility.eventbrite.com

Event Flyer:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Nov-9-MEETH-Accessibility-Center-Info-session-3-v1.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Top 5 Apps Handout:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Apps-Handout-Nov.-9-MEETH.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Save the date for our next session:

April 19, 2018, 3 to 4 pm

Smart Speakers!

Hosted by the Department of Ophthalmology

Supported by Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.

October 19, 2017
10/12 What Siri Can Do For You

Join Us Oct.12, 2017 At MEETH

Siri, Apple’s “intelligent personal assistant”, can be an empowering tool to help you maximize functionality in your iPhone and/or iPad. Please join us in learning easy tips to benefit from this life-changing technology!

Accessibility Resources for People with Visual Impairments

Presenter:

Dorrie Rush

OphthalmicEdge.org Patients

WHEN:

Thursday, October 12, 2018

2:30 to 3:30 pm

WHERE:

Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Corwin Hall

2nd Floor

210 East 64 Street

(between Third and Second Ave.)

New York, NY 10065

Event Flyer:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/10-12-MEETH-Siri-Event.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Save the date for our next session:

November 9, 2017, 2:30 to 3:30 pm

Top 5 Accessibility Apps!

Hosted by the Department of Ophthalmology

Supported by Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.

September 21, 2017
9/14 iPhone, iPad, and Kindle Accessibility Settings

Join Us Sept. 14, 2017 At MEETH

Please join us for an exciting informational session to learn about accessibility settings in your iPhone, iPad, and Kindle!

Accessibility Resources for People with Visual Impairments

Presenter:

Dorrie Rush

OphthalmicEdge.org Patients

WHEN:

Thursday, September 14, 2017

4:30 to 6 pm

WHERE:

Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Corwin Hall

2nd Floor

210 East 64 Street

(between Third and Second Ave.)

New York, NY 10065

Event Flyer:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Accessibility-Center-Info-session-v2e.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Apple iOS Handout:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/9-14-MEETH-Apple-iOS-Handout-FINAL-.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Kindle Accessiblity Handout:

[easy_media_download url=”https://oepatientsbu.xyz/2025/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/9-14-MEETH-Kindle-Accessibility-Handout-FINAL.pdf” target=”_blank” class=”directpdf” text=”Download PDF”]

Save the date for our next session:

October 12, 2018, 3 to 4 pm

Ten Things Siri Will Do If You Ask

Hosted by the Department of Ophthalmology

Supported by Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.

August 24, 2017
5 Ways To Make Your Computer At Work Easier To Use
Whether you will continue working with progressive vision loss is mostly up to you. Get prepared to avoid the pitfalls by knowing what potentially lies ahead and how to overcome. Dealing with the impending issues can be a challenge, but the difficulties will be much greater if you are not prepared.

Don’t wait until the words are no longer legible on the computer screen. Holding a magnifier against the monitor to enlarge the text is a pretty sure sign you’re in trouble. Text size is adjusted in accessibility settings, not on the outside of the screen.

Making adjustments takes a little time and is often uncomfortable at the start. Rest assured, it is quite possible to continue working without interruption by staying just one step ahead. Learning to utilize magnification, and other accessibility features, built into the computer, is more dependent on repetition than ability.

Remember you have value. Your employer chose you for the job and invested in your development. You are there for your talent and experience. They want you to succeed. You were not hired for your visual acuity, and you will not be fired for it either — if you make the necessary adjustments to keep working productively.

Honesty is the best policy. Trying to hide vision loss rarely works out well. Telling your boss about your visual impairment will actually protect you. An open dialogue is more likely to create a supportive environment.

A man working on a computer with a large screen.

Make incremental changes, one thing at a time. Here are some minor adjustments that can make a major difference…
- Large Screen Monitor – A bigger screen will give you an immediate boost and it will nicely accommodate increasing use of magnification. Don’t be shy…go for the 27 to 30 inch screens. Bigger is definitely better!
- Keyboard – Typing can become an issue if you need to see the keys. Now would be a great time to brush up on typing skills. Switch to a large print keyboard or add ZoomCaps large print, high contrast stickers to the keys of your current keyboard. Use locator dots to help identify certain keys by touch.
- Keyboard Shortcuts – Make it possible to do things like Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo and Redo without touching the mouse. Choose the shortcuts you will use every day at work and practice (one at a time) until they become ingrained. Here are the lists of Windows shortcuts and Mac shortcuts.
- Make A Friend In IT – This is an important relationship to cultivate as you will be needing help over the long term with Accessibility Settings that may be restricted.
- Accessibility Settings – Your friend in IT might not be totally versed in accessibility, but they’ll be very happy to gain this knowledge. Be confident in knowing there are many ways to make the computer easier to see by utilizing built-in magnification, large text, large cursor, improving contrast and more.
Resources

Both Microsoft and Apple have dedicated live support phone lines for accessibility, free of charge. This is, without a doubt, the best way to get the information you need to make your computer easier to use.

Call Microsoft Disability Answer Desk at 800.936.5900

or go to www.microsoft.com/enable

Call Apple Accessibility Support – 877.204.3930

or go to www.apple.com/accessibility

Then get back to work!

Windows Computer Shortcuts

List of Windows computer shortcuts.
August 22, 2017